WELL…another “campaign promise” fulfilled.
When MORE Power took over the erstwhile power utility of “I Am Iloilo City” one of its “campaign promise” was to bring down the exorbitant power rates. Which it did with P6.45/kWh, the lowest in the region and the entire country. The natives of “I Am Iloilo City” were able to enjoy that windfall for almost two years, generating much savings until geopolitics and the volatile power open market slowly brought the rates up to its current rate, which is not bad and still manageable.
There is, of course, the very strong possibility that the rates will still go down as the geopolitical excitement calms down and MORE Power’s 20-megawatt geothermal power supply contract with Energy Development Corp. kicks in.
Another “campaign promise” was to bring the power distribution system up to par with the 21st century meaning; to upgrade, rehabilitate and modernize the obsolete and dilapidated system abandoned by the previous power utility.
MORE Power has been doing that since the takeover, pouring in billions of pesos in capital investments and brand new sub-stations.
Just the other day this happened which epitomizes this modernization; excerpts from the March 7, 2023 issue of Panay News:
MORE ENERGY: MORE BOOSTS ILOILO CITY’S POWER CAPACITY
MORE Electric and Power Corporation (MORE Power), Iloilo City’s electric distribution utility, has announced the completion and energization of its 30/36 MVA New Megaworld Substation on March 5.
This substation is the first permanent project of MORE Power since taking over operations in February 2020, and it is set to significantly boost Iloilo City’s power capacity and reliability, making it more attractive to potential investors.
According to MORE Power’s president and chief executive officer Roel Castro, the completion of the substation is a breakthrough for the company and the city.
The substation features state-of-the-art machinery and technology, and it is strategically located to support the growing demand for electricity in Iloilo City.
The substation’s Power Transformer is from ABB/Hitachi, equipped with an On-load Tap Changer manufactured by Reinhausen, and features a “self-dehydrating breather” by COMEM Group Italy. It also has a digital interface for easy connection to smart grid applications and an online Dissolved Gas Analyzer (DGA) for real-time monitoring of its condition and life expectancy.
The substation is also equipped with Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) and automation features, enabling remote controlled operation from MORE Power’s Control Center.
The protection features of the substation include a transformer differential protection that protects the power transformer from external and internal faults and modernized overcurrent protection relays that are properly coordinated with other line protection devices for a more robust and reliable supply of power.
The 30/36 MVA New Megaworld Substation is ready to support the development of the Iloilo Business Park and nearby districts, ensuring reliability and providing backup in case one line fails. With the substation now operational, the business park and its surrounding areas will have a more stable and reliable power supply, making it an ideal location for businesses looking to invest in Iloilo City.
With the energization of the 30/36 MVA New Megaworld Substation, Iloilo City is well-positioned to accommodate future investments and developments.
Indeed, this new Megaworld Substation not only attests but also epitomizes MORE Power’s commitment to providing world-class power distribution services to Iloilo City.
Alongside, the company’s continuous upgrading and rehabilitation of the electric power distribution system and infrastructures, the natives of “I Am Iloilo City” are looking at a brighter future and a promise of a more robust economy.
This is certainly a very far cry compared to the “dark days” of Iloilo City’s erstwhile power utility where there seemed to be no light at the end of the tunnel.
Well played MORE Power, well played, indeed./PN
